Creative HQ-2300D and 5.1

[lunker]

I'm sick of having to turn down the subwoofer and turn up the center speaker when watching late night DVD's so I'm looking for some headphones.

I've come across the Creative HQ-2300D 5.1 headphones which look pretty good. I've found some online reviews but just want to know do they really sound like 5.1? Will I get directional sound like my standard 5.1 setup or does it sound more like 'Virtual Dolby'.

If these aren't up to much what else is out there for around this price?

[lunker]

I've also seen these which look better. Has anyone tried them?

[Naqv]

I have these headphones.
The decoder is absolutely amazing, especially when in Dolby Headphone mode.
Will you be using them for games or for the PC, then you need to know that they require tslink optical port not found on most soundcards to decode dolby 5.1 and DTS. Although you can use the analogue port for connects, but with that, you will only get Dolby Headphone and Dolby Pro Logic II.

The bad point about them is that, they only run on batteries, which is irritating, so you will need some rechargeable ones, although the decoder does run for 10 odd hours on good batteries.

The also come with an optical cable (Toslink compliant).

I am currenty running them on anologue Dolby Headpone mode and they do sound awsome.

On Tuesday, i will receive my Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Fatal1ty, that has optical links on the I/O extension board.
Then I will connect them using optical and test the proper 5.1 and DTS mode. So if you can wait till then, I will let you know what I think.

By the way, the headphones are quite good, producing good base and trebble.

[Naqv]

The cyberhome ones sound better as they come with a charger.

[lunker]

Thanks for the reply frodo60.

I'm only going to be using them for late night film watching. My amp has got coxal and optical out so I should be fine for connections.

I'd be interested to find out what the seperation of the channels is like when you get your new sound card.

I know the mains power and the 6 seperate speakers did sound good but Cyberhome isn't exactly a big name in home cinema.

[Naqv]

Ok, I got the X-fi sound card and guess what? It has roughly (If not better)5.1 headphone simulation (CMSS-3d) than the dolby decoder, but with the advantage that no batteres are required and it works on everything (e.g. Divx, mp3s, TV card etc).
About the speaker separation. With stereo headphones, it is difficult to get speaker separation, so I would not recommend these for good speaker separation. But these decoders add much better base and makes you feel as though you are in a cinema (V. Large Base and echo effects etc). I would recommend them for late night viewing, but don't spend too much money on them. They will improve your viewing completely, but not if you already have good 5.1 speaker setup. If you have just the standard 2.1 or TV speakers, then get them.